Impact of Computer-Based and Pharmacist-Assisted Medication Review Initiated in the Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: Whether early medication reconciliation and integration can reduce polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. Polypharmacy and PIM have been recognized as significant causes of adverse drug events in older adults. Therefore, this pilot study was conducted to delineate this issue. DESIGN: An interventional study. SETTING: A medical center in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Older ED patients (aged ≥65 years) awaiting hospitalization between December 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018 were recruited in this study. A multidisciplinary team and a computer-based and pharmacist-assisted medication reconciliation and integration system were implemented. MEASUREMENTS: The reduced proportions of major polypharmacy (≥10 medications) and PIM at hospital discharge were compared with those on admission to the ED between pre- and post-intervention periods. RESULTS: A total of 911 patients (pre-intervention = 243 vs post-intervention = 668) were recruited. The proportions of major polypharmacy and PIM were lower in the post-intervention than in the pre-intervention period (-79.4% vs -65.3%; P < .001, and - 67.5% vs -49.1%; P < .001, respectively). The number of medications was reduced from 12.5 ± 2.7 to 6.9 ± 3.0 in the post-intervention period in patients with major polypharmacy (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Early initiation of computer-based and pharmacist-assisted intervention in the ED for reducing major polypharmacy and PIM is a promising method for improving geriatric care and reducing medical expenditures. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2298-2304, 2019.

Changes in medicine prescription following a medication review in older high-risk patients with polypharmacy.

Background The more (inappropriate) drugs a patient uses, the higher the risk of drug related problems. To reduce these risks, medication reviews can be performed. Objective To report changes in the prescribed number of (potentially inappropriate) drugs before and after performing a medication review in high-risk polypharmacy patients. A secondary objective was to study reasons for continuing potentially inappropriate drugs (PIDs). Setting Dutch community pharmacy and general medical practice. Methods A retrospective longitudinal intervention study with a pre-test/post-test design and follow-up of 1 week and 3 months was performed. The study population consisted of 126 patients with polypharmacy and with additional risk for drug related problems that underwent a medication review in five community pharmacies. The medication review was performed by the pharmacist in close cooperation with the general practitioner of each corresponding patient. Main outcome measure Number of (potentially inappropriate) drugs, and appropriateness of prescribed medicines. Results The average number of drugs a patient used 1 day before the review was 8.7 (SD = 2.9), which decreased (p < 0.05) to 8.3 (SD = 2.7) 1 week after the review, and to 8.4 (SD = 2.6) 3 months after the review. The average number of PIDs was initially 0.6 (SD = 0.8) per patient and decreased to 0.4 (SD = 0.6, p < 0.05). Twenty-two of the 241 initial drug changes (9%) were deprescribed during follow-up. Registered reasons for continuing PIDs are clinical or patients' preferences. Conclusions Performing medication reviews in polypharmacy patients seems useful to continue at least in high-risk patients in The Netherlands. The time-consuming reviews could be limited to patients who are willing to change their medication.

Drug-related problems among community-dwelling older adults in mainland China.

Background Little is known about the extent of drug-related problems (DRPs) in community-dwelling older adult patients with chronic diseases in mainland China. Setting A medication therapy review service at a community health center in Chongqing, China. Objective To identify and categorize DRPs along with pharmacists' recommendations in addressing the DRPs identified. Method The study was conducted between May 2015 and July 2016. A total of 102 community-dwelling older adults were included. MTR was carried out by clinical pharmacists. DRPs and pharmacotherapy recommendations were recorded and analyzed. Main outcome measure The number of drug-related problems and main problem categories. Results The average age of patients was 69.4 years. Patients took an average of 6.3 medications. A total of 489 DRPs were identified (mean of 4.8 per patient). The most common category was under-treated (27.8%) followed by over- or under-dose (18.8%) and monitoring (17.8%). The number of medications taken was the significant associated factor for DRPs. Pharmacists made 526 recommendations to address the DRPs (mean of 1.1 recommendations per DRP). Primary care providers accepted 68.1% of these recommendations, and implemented 60.9% of them. Conclusion The prevalence of DRPs among studied patient population was high. Pharmacists may play a vital role in addressing the DRPs and optimize pharmacotherapy through MTR service located in community health centers.

Drug-related problems identified during geriatric medication review in the community pharmacy.

Background In line with the changing role of community pharmacists, we describe here a standardised procedure for detecting DRPs in elderly patients for use in community pharmacies. Objectives The primary aim was to describe the number and type of DRPs identified by community pharmacists in elderly patients. Secondary aims were to determine the number and type of associated pharmacist interventions (PIs) that were transmitted to the prescribers, and to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of a PI. Setting Community pharmacies. Methods In this prospective, multicentre study, pharmacists received patients aged 65 and over. During a 30-min interview with patients who agreed to participate, patient characteristics were recorded such as age, weight, height, frailty (using the Short Emergency Geriatric Assessment grid), estimated renal function and compliance with treatment assessed by the Girerd scale. Main outcome measure DRPs characteristics. Results A total of 892 patients agreed to participate in 55 pharmacies. Among them 334 DRPs were identified and were associated with 259 PIs. Eighty-nine PIs of 259 were sent to the prescribing physicians; 70 (78%) were implemented by the general practitioner. Factors associated with the occurrence of a DRP are compliance problems [odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.26-2.58)], frailty [OR = 1.3, 95% CI (1.01-1.66)], number of prescribed drugs per day [OR = 1.46, 95% CI (1.02-2.07)] and GFR < 60 mL/min [OR = 1.49, 95% CI (1.01-2.2)]. Conclusion This is the first standardised pharmaceutical assessment dedicated to the elderly carried out by community pharmacists in France. If implemented, it could help to find drug-related problems, identify frail elderly patients and ultimately decrease their exposure to iatrogenic medication errors.

Intervention to improve the appropriate use of polypharmacy for older patients with hip fractures: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is frequently observed in hip fracture patients. Although it is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, polypharmacy often continues after hip fracture recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to improve appropriate polypharmacy for elderly patients admitted to the hospital for hip fractures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study to compare the outcomes of patients receiving the intervention (n = 32) with those of patients who received usual care (n = 132). All hip fracture patients aged 65 years or older and prescribed 5 or more medications at admission from January 2015 to December 2016 were included in the study. The intervention consisted of an assessment by internal medicine physicians of the appropriateness of polypharmacy and the de-prescription of any unnecessary medications during the patients' hospital stay. The primary composite outcome was death or the first occurrence of any new fracture. Comparisons between the intervention and usual care groups were analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were included in the study. The mean patient age was 84.8 years, and the mean numbers of prescribed medications and potentially inappropriate medications at admission were 8.0 and 1.3, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 8.0 months. The primary composite outcome occurred in 35 (21.3%) patients. The total number of potentially inappropriate medications at discharge was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the usual care group (0.8 ± 0.8 for the intervention group vs 1.1 ± 1.0 for the usual care group; p = 0.03). However, no significant differences in the primary composite outcome were found between the intervention and usual care groups (7 in the intervention group and 28 in the usual care group, odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.41-2.65; p = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention to improve appropriate polypharmacy was associated with a reduction in potentially inappropriate medications but not an improvement in clinical outcomes. This intervention, which focused only on polypharmacy, may not effectively improve outcomes for elderly patients with hip fractures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR UMIN000025495 . Retrospectively registered 2 January 2017.

Medication regimen complexity and prevalence of potentially inappropriate medicines in older patients after hospitalisation.

Background There is a relative paucity of information to characterise potential changes in medication regimen complexity and prevalence of prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications after hospitalisation, both in Australia and elsewhere. Objective To evaluate medication regimen complexity and the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications before and after admission to hospital. Setting General medical units of a tertiary care hospital in Australia. Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients aged 65 years and above. Medication complexity was measured by using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Main outcome measure The primary outcome was the change in the Medication Regimen Complexity Index for all prescribed medications after hospitalization. Results A convenience sample of 100 patients was included in the study. There was a significant change in the mean medication complexity score (as measured using the MRCI), increasing from 29 at the time of admission to 32 at the time of discharge (p < 0.05). Factors such as baseline medication regimen complexity (pre-admission MRCI) and length of stay in the hospitals appear to influence the change in medication complexity. However, the proportion of patients prescribed at least one potentially inappropriate medicine (PIM) decreased significantly, from 52% pre-hospitalization to 42% at discharge (p = 0.04). Conclusions Relative to the time of admission, overall medication complexity increased and the proportion of patients who were prescribed PIMs decreased after hospitalisation.

Prevalence and risk factors for medication reconciliation errors during hospital admission in elderly patients.

Background Care transitions are risk points for medication discrepancies, especially in the elderly. Objective This study was undertaken to assess prevalence and describe medication reconciliation errors during admission in elderly patients and to analyze associated risk factors. We also evaluate the effect of these errors on the length of hospital stay. Setting General surgery, orthopedics, internal medicines and infectious diseases departments of a 1070-bed Spanish teaching hospital. Method This is a prospective observational study. Patients >65 years and taking ≥5 medications were randomly selected from those admitted to hospital. The pharmacist obtained the best possible medication history based on medical records, medical notes from patients' previous admissions to hospital, "brown bag" review, community care prescriptions, and comprehensive patient interviews. It was compared to current inpatient prescription to detect unintentional discrepancies (discrepancy with no apparent clinical explanation), which were reported to the physician. When the physician accepted the discrepancy by changing the medication order, it was recorded as a medication reconciliation error and classified by type of error. Several variables were analyzed as possible risk/protective factors. Main outcome measure Is prevalence of medication reconciliation errors at admission. Results Reconciliation was performed on 206 patients. Medication reconciliation errors occurred in 49.5 % (102/206) of patients. 1996 medications were recorded, and 359 had unintentional discrepancies (56.0 % (201/359) medication reconciliation errors). The most common was omission (65.1 %). Identified risk factors were as follows: physician experience, number of pre-admission prescribed medications, and previous surgeries. Computerized order entry system was a protective factor. Conclusion Medication reconciliation errors occur in almost half of the elderly patients at admission, especially omissions. Risk factors were a larger number of previous medications, less physician years of experience, and more previous surgeries. Having a computerized order entry system in the hospital protected against some errors.

Impact of medication reconciliation at discharge on continuity of patient care in France.

Background Care transitions from hospital to community have been identified as risk points for the continuity of patient care. Without upstream information, the community pharmacist (CP) cannot ensure error-free drug dispensing. A hospital-to-community records transmission process would enable CPs to guarantee that all prescription drugs are ready to pick up at hospital discharge, and to improve their responses to patient health inquiries. Objective To evaluate the impact of a hospital-to-CP medication records scheme on post-discharge continuity of patient treatment. Setting A University Hospital Digestive Surgery Department. Method Prospective, single-center, randomized pilot study. Eligible adult Digestive Surgery department patients discharged home over a period of 4 months were included. The medication reconciliation procedure was the same in both arms of the study. For patients included in the intervention group, CPs were sent the discharge prescription, patient medication list, and clinical and biological data required for drug dispensing. At 7 ± 2 days post-discharge, the CPs were surveyed by questionnaire. Seamlessness of drug continuity, use of the discharge medication form, and CP satisfaction with the scheme were assessed. Main outcome measures Prevalence of medication shortages, i.e. CPs unable to supply the appropriate drugs at discharge, and CP satisfaction levels, analyzed using Chi squared test. Results 124 patients were included. Of 124 CPs surveyed, 104 returned a completed questionnaire. Analysis found medication shortage in 10 control-group patients and one intervention-group patient (p < 0.005), non-availability of the full prescription in 24 % of control-group patients and 6 % of intervention-group patients (p < 0.013). In terms of CP satisfaction, 96 % of the intervention-group CPs stated that they were satisfied with the new hospital-to-community liaison initiative, while just 24 % of control-group CPs were satisfied with the current level of hospital-to-community liaison. Mean hospital pharmacist time input required for this initiative was an estimated 21 min for the control group versus 35 min for the intervention group. Conclusion The results provide a strong rationale for embedding the process longer-term and extending it out to other healthcare services. A pre-project study is needed to define which service departments and patients groups should be given priority for this process initiative.

Reducing medication errors at admission: 3 cycles to implement, improve and sustain medication reconciliation.

BACKGROUND: In France, medication errors are the third leading cause of serious adverse events. Many studies have shown the positive impact of medication reconciliation (MR) on reducing medication errors at admission but this practice is still rarely implemented in French hospitals. OBJECTIVE: Implement and sustain a MR process at admission in two surgery units. The quality improvement approach used to meet this objective is described. SETTING: The gastrointestinal surgery and orthopedic surgery departments of a 407 inpatient bed French teaching hospital. METHODS: A step by step collaborative approach based on plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. Three cycles were successively performed with regular feedback during multidisciplinary meetings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: mean unintended medication discrepancies (UMDs) per patients at admission. RESULTS: The three PDSA cycles and the monitoring phase allowed to implement, optimize and sustain a MR process in the two surgery units. Cycle 1, by showing a rate of 0.65 UMDs at admission (95 % CI 0.39-0.91), underlined the need for a MR process; cycle 2 showed how the close-collaboration between pharmacy and surgery units could help to reduce mean UMDs per patients at admission (0.18; 95 % CI 0.09-0.27) (p < 0.001); finally, cycle 3 allowed the optimization of the MR process by reducing the delays of the best possible medication history availability. CONCLUSIONS: This work highlights how a collaborative quality-improvement approach based on PDSA cycles can meet the challenge of implementing MR to improve medication management at admission.